Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Tony Popovic

Popovic on the ups and downs of Japanese footy…

Diegos: "You've been riding a soccer roller coaster of late. Injury has thwarted your chance to front up for the Socecroos against Brazil but on a more positive note, recently you found yourself scrubbing the backs of Baggio and Leonardo in the showers after the World Dream team V Japan Dream team game.

It's a real mixed bag. How do you feel?"

Popovic: " Playing soccer with Baggio and Leonardo is something that you only dream about. The back scrubbing was a bonus. Both men are fantastic players, I think everyone knew that, but they are also fantastic blokes off the field. It was a great experience.

As far as the Socceroos is concerned, I'm really disappointed that I can't pull on the Green and Gold for Frank Farina's debut as coach but I know the guys will do well. I wish them all the best.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Popovic on Baggio…

Diegos: "Baggio has had a number of nicknames over the years. The Divine Ponytail and the Marine (after he had a hair cut) are just two.

Who did he introduce himself as? Was it 'Divine', Robbie, Roberto, Robert, Rob, Bobby?????"

Popovic:  " He introduced himself as Roberto, but said that his mates call him Bobby. But I didn't quite think that I was his mates yet, so I had to stick with Roberto.”

Diegos: "How did he cope with your nickname - 'Mad Popovic the Iron Bar, Psycho Killer'?"

Popovic: " He was really impressed. In fact when I introduced myself with my nickname, he said that I was more than welcome to call him Bobby.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Popovic on Hayden Foxe…

Diegos: " Socceroo, Olyroo and fellow teammate, Hayden Foxe, has been selected for the Brazil series. You play along side each other for Hiroshima and there is a great chance that you will also link up side by side in the national team.

Rumour is that if you ever want get in touch with Hayden all you have to do is ring the Popovic residence and he'll be there raiding the pantry.

How close are you to Hayden? Is your wife jealous? Are there times when you just don't want to see him?"

Popovic: " Well there is no need for me to ask him to move in with us because he is always around. In fact he was just over the other night.

We’re great friends and we do a lot of things together like most good friends. We are very lucky to have someone that we get along well with in a foreign country. It sure has made the transition a hell of a lot easier.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Popovic on Sanfrecce Hiroshima…

Diegos: "At last report it seems that the Sanfrecce Hiroshima fans have stopped committing Harikari and disemboweling themselves for the team now is doing quite well in the top half of the ladder.

Has the team developed into a J-League powerhouse?"

Popovic: " We are currently sitting in fifth place which is good because our supporter numbers have been dwindling.

We are looking forward to the rest of the season and will be doing our best to stay in the top half. The club would be really happy if we could finish in the top six.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Popovic on the Socceroo captaincy…

Diegos: "There was much speculation about who would be appointed the next Socceroo captain. Mark Bosnich has got the gig for the Brazil series. We in turn, believe it should be you…… If people tell you that we say that to all our guests don't believe it.

What's your view?"

Popovic: " There are a number of candidates who I believe are great players and great leaders in there own right and I know that Bosnich will do a great job. It won’t be an easy decision and I’m glad that its Frank’s and not mine. I’m sure that whoever does get the job it will be someone who Frank believes will be the best leader to take Australia to the next World Cup.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Popovic on the Japanese press…

Diegos: "Are the Japanese soccer journalists as hard hitting as the sleazy, tabloid, gutter press Four Diegos?"

Popovic: " To be honest, I’m not too sure. In a way, when we play a bad game, it’s good not to be able to read the papers and not know what they are saying about you.”

Diegos: "How have you handled the after match press conference in Japan?  Have you unleashed a Paul Gascoigne burp or made mention of a 'Dead Dingo's Donger' yet?"

Popovic: " No not yet. The interpreters here try and keep us in check after matches. So there hasn’t been any burps or 'Dingo's dongers' from me yet.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1998

Popovic on Japanese players…

Diegos: “ We know that they are quite a contained culture. Do Japanese soccer players 'spit the dummy' once they get back into the dressing room?”

Popovic:  “ Not normally but I think that we have converted a few of them. Corrupted might be a more apt word. So now when they get into the dressing room, if we've had a bad loss a few of the Aussie swear words start flowing, which, really in a strange way, makes me feel more at home.”

Diegos: "Players from Japan have always been known for their pace, skill and scrupulously fair play, but have also been acknowledged for perhaps, not liking the physical stuff.  You are a self-styled hard man. 

Do you tend to bully the local strikers, and have you been able to incorporate a bit of Asian martial arts into your hard-man repertoire.  The cynical ninja-judo tackle from behind perhaps?"

Popovic:  "The yellow cards that I keep getting seem to suggest that I do bully a bit. The local players are known for their skill and speed but it is known also that they may lack a bit physically and mentally. At our club you’d be surprised, we’ve got a few hard boys. I’m not sure whether we’ve had anything to do with that but its good to see.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1998

Popovic on Japanese fans…

Diegos: "Spectators around the world celebrate in their own unique way.  In Turkey, fans discharge live rounds of ammunition into the air.  In Italy they invade the pitch and strip naked their favourite players, and in India they burn down the grandstand.   How do the Japanese spectators celebrate?"

Popovic: " You’d be surprised. After a victory or a loss it’s all the same. The supporters are always clapping and cheering. In Australia when you lose a game you’re usually pretty upset and you walk straight off the field but in Japan the custom is that you’ve got to go to the fans and wave to them whether you’ve won 3-0 or lost 3-0.

We found that a little bit hard to accept but that’s just the way it is in Japan. We’ve got to show our appreciation to the supporters no matter what happens, whether you win or lose.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1998